Coach Koeman desperate to lead the second revolution at Barcelona

Ronald Koeman is hurting after Barcelona's 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek but he believes the work he's doing is producing results and will do so in the future. The Barça coach shares the sporting department's opinion that a second revolution of the squad is needed to complete the necessary remodeling of the squad and to have a team capable of competing in Europe once again. Koeman wants to lead those changes and feels he has the strength to do so and to take Barça back to the top.

Aside from tactical consideration from the game against PSG, the Dutch coach has been confident about the future as long as the path that was started last summer is followed. Koeman arrived as Barcelona let a number of heavyweights leave like Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic. They weren't able to make bigger changes. Koeman feels it's important to have a second mini-revolution at the end of the season and to build around Lionel Messi, a player he feels is the key to leading Barça's next project.

Last summer, Barça tried to move more players on but the salaries some were earning made it impossible. After another humbling European defeat, both Koeman and the sporting department have reaffirmed the need for some previously untouchable players to bring their cycle at the club to an end to enable players with a very clear profile to step forward. Barça want the team to be fresher and younger. There won't be much money to sign, but there are interesting players who could join for free. In any case, Koeman will have to speak with the new president first, who will be elected on March 7.

Koeman signed a two-year deal and was aware this season was more about planting the seeds for success than winning titles. He knows he will be judged on results and Barça will probably win nothing, although he's been capable of bringing young players into the team, like Araujo and Pedri, and has improved De Jong and Dembele. Everything will be weighed up at the end of the season, but Koeman's done enough to get a second chance to lead the new project that should be the relaunch of Barça.

The Blaugrana must not focus on ending the campaign as best as possible. And Koeman believes the team can keep growing this season, which will serve for the future. The message for the players has been clear: don't give up because, despite setbacks against Sevilla and PSG, the has grown throughout the season. Koeman is realistic about the Champions League but hasn't given up on competing in La Liga and the Copa del Rey. The coach is happy with the young signings and believe some will be world stars in the coming years. He believes in the future.

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